Halloween events kick off Saturday

DOBSON — There’s plenty for little monsters goblins and ghosts to do this Halloween, and big ones won’t be left out either.

Multiple events throughout the county are planned for Halloween and the weekend preceding Monday evening.

Zombie run

On Saturday Angela Shur, who sits on the board of the local homeless shelter, will host the city’s first Zombie Run and a community event following the run.

Shur said the 5k run will take runners through Mount Airy, including along the Emily B. Taylor Greenway, before arriving back in town for a community Halloween party. Along the course zombies, supplied by Interact clubs from schools throughout the county, will try to steal flags from runners. Those runners with flags remaining will be eligible to win prizes.

Once the race is over, the real festivities will begin, according to Shur. Franklin and Market Streets will be blocked off in order to play host to multiple events. Games for children, the opportunity to go trick-or-treating, crafts, face-painting and many other activities will keep kids and their parents busy.

Runners are admitted to the after-party for free, and a bracelet for the block party is $10 per person. However, Shur said once the bracelet is purchased, nearly everything inside the event is free of charge, including ice cream bars. There will also be costume contests.

Race day registration begins at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, and the race kicks off at 6 p.m. The after-party will start at about 7:30 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Shepherd’s House and a backpack food program run by the county and city school systems.

Shur noted, as of Wednesday morning, about 125 runners had pre-registered for the race.

For more information about the event visit http://bit.ly/2dO3bak or call Shur’s business, Miss Angel’s Heavenly Pies, at 786-1537.

BooBash is in its sixth year, according to museum executive director Matt Edwards. Generally, the event raises between $1,500 and $2,000 to support the operations at the museum. More than 200 people are expected at BooBash.

“It should be a great party — just a really good time,” said Edwards.

The event, hosted by Old North State Winery, will run from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. Edwards said admission to the event is $13, though those who participate in the Zombie Run will receive a $3 discount. Since the winery is “so generous in providing the venue,” every dollar collected goes directly toward funding the museum.

Edwards said the night is packed with fun for adults. The Will Jones Band will perform, and the evening includes a costume contest, which is a personal favorite for Edwards.

“The costume contest is the highlight of the evening,” said Edwards, noting costumes are encouraged but not required. “We have seen some really phenomenal costumes throughout the years.”

Tickets are available at the door on Saturday and may also be purchased in advance at the winery or the museum. Edwards warned they may become hot commodities, as the maximum capacity at Old North State is 285 people.

“The event is a great opportunity for adults to come out and enjoy their inner-child,” said Edwards.

Downtown trick-or-treat

The Downtown Business Association (DBA) has organized a trick-or-treating event on the streets of Mount Airy for multiple years, and the organization is set to hold another one Monday afternoon.

Jennie Lowry, secretary of the DBA, said her organization has teamed with WSYD radio, Mount Airy High School’s Interact Club and the city’s two rotary clubs to make a fun and safe event possible.

Lowry said from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. participating businesses in Mount Airy will pass out candy to trick-or-treaters. The majority of businesses in Mount Airy take part in the annual event, which predates Lowry’s six years of involvement.

The trick-or-treating will be followed by a costume contest located in the parking lot adjacent to Bark and Meow, the Carlos Jones Blue Ridge Park. Lowry said categories for family-friendly costumes include a pets’ category, a children’s category and a families’ category.

Lowry said prizes will be handed out to those with top costumes, and there is no need to register for the contest. However, those looking to participate must be at the park by 5 p.m.

The parking lot at the location will also play host to games for children, said Lowry. Games will kick off at 3 p.m. and will remain in place until about 6 p.m. All events are weather-dependent.

Halloween in Dobson

There will be “lots of fun and candy to be had” in Dobson on Monday, according to Dobson Municipal Services Manager Misty Marion.

The town will host its second annual Spooktacular Monday evening at Dobson Square Park. The event will include trick-or-treating and much more.

“It’s an event to provide a safe alternative to traditional trick-or-treating,” said Marion, noting the event pulls kids off of the streets and into a controlled environment.

Marion said multiple area businesses will be on hand passing out candy. The event was well attended in 2015, and children left with a full ration of sweets. There will be carnival games for children, and a local church will provide additional entertainment.

Salem Baptist Church will be providing additional games at the event, said Marion. Kids can earn tickets, which they can redeem for prizes.

Monday’s Spooktacular will begin at 5 p.m. and is set to wrap up at 8 p.m.

Marion said another event at Dobson First Baptist Church will run concurrent to the town’s event. The church will offer a trunk-or-treat event.

Those taking part often set up a display in the trunks of their cars and pass out candy, explained Marion. Free soup will be offered at the church’s event.